The melting pot of outdoor
education effects:
Testing the flavours of program type, duration and participant age

In Proceedings of the 11th National Outdoor Education
Conference, 11-15 January, Perth, Western Australia: Camping and Outdoor
Education Association of Western Australia, pp.112-118, 1999

Abstract

This study reports results from doctoral work on ‘life
effectiveness’ outcomes for participants in Outward Bound and other outdoor
education programs. Several possible factors (such as program length, age of
participant, etc.) which could influence outdoor education effects are
investigated. Results suggest that longer programs tend to have the greatest
impacts. Adult-age participants also appear to have a greater ‘readiness’ for
change. The most positive outcome was in the area of Time Management. Strong
gains were also evident for ‘classic’ outdoor education outcomes including Self
Confidence, Social Competence, Emotional Control and Task Leadership. Less
impressive (but still positive) gains were found for participants’ initiative
taking, motivation to achieve and getting actively involved. Perhaps outdoor
education could explore better ways of facilitating participants’ development in
these areas. Finally, the analyses show that enhancement of ‘life effectiveness’
is maintained, on average, for at least 5 months after program completion. There
is some loss of gains up to 12 months after program completion, but overall,
people who participate in outdoor education programs continue to feel more
effective in their lives than they did prior to their big adventure.